Good for two more years - my first BFR
11 years ago
Showing posts with label Cross Country. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cross Country. Show all posts
Friday, May 9, 2008
More Cross Country - back to Ryan
Today I wanted to go cross country. I wanted to head down to Tombstone but there was a fire in the area and I wanted to stay clear of the area... So I went back to Ryan for a quick hop. On the way back, I saw 2 F-16 fly across my windscreen at an incredibly high rate of speed! That was cool (Tucson Approach told me they were coming). They were far enough away that I never felt their wake turbulence but close enough to have some fun watching them scream by!
Flight time: 2.1
Total time: 84.7
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Solo Cross Country
Today is the day of my long solo cross country. It is really the last thing I need to log before my checkride. I planned to go from Falcon Field (KFFZ), to Lake Havasu City (KHII), to Blythe, CA (KBLH), and back to Falcon Field.
The first leg of my trip began at 6:00AM (13:00 Zulu) and was going to take me over SDL and DVT into the mountains towards the Colorado River. It was a beautiful morning and the scenery was incredible. I was hitting all of my checkpoints pretty much right on. All was well until my coffee spilled all over the right seat AND my logbook. Oh well, at least it looks used now. When I came within 12 miles of Lake Havasu, I radioed that I would be making left traffic for Runway 14. This would allow me to fly by the airport for observation.
Suddenly a voice came over the CTAF frequency saying that winds were calm and that the calm wind runway was 32. OK that's fine I can go straight in for 32 - oh, but wait, I read a NOTAM that said straight in approaches were not allowed. Cool! Fly out over the lake and make left traffic for 32.
Landed and had to pee really bad so I taxied to the FBO. Pee'd got a bottle of water and ended up putting a quart of oil in the plane - it was down under 5 quarts.
Off to Blythe. This is a really cool flight because you can basically fly down the Colorado River the entire way. It is a nice flight. Short too. Unfortunately, the airport is a total hole. I took a picture of the sole hangar at the airport. It has definitely been on this earth longer than I have. Made a quick bathroom break and headed back to Phoenix.
Upon leaving, I contacted Los Angeles Center for flight following. They were great. They handed me off to Albuquerque Center. All was going well and then I was handed off to Phoenix approach. Then Phoenix approach cleared me into Class Bravo airspace at 4500 feet for one of the west to east VFR transitions. I wasn't expecting this but I'm willing to try anything once. I then got handed off to another controller. I switched frequencies and the following exchange took place:
Phoenix Approach, Archer 2 8 7 Hotel Papa is with you at 45oo feet.
November 2 8 7 Hotel Papa, Phoenix Approach. Care to tell me why you're with me at 4500 feet when the previous controller cleared you to 5500 feet?
Phoenix Approach, Archer 2 8 7 Hotel Papa. I wrote down and read back 4500 feet. Since the controller did not correct my read back, I think I'm cleared to 4500 feet.
November 2 8 7 Hotel Papa, Phoenix Approach. Negative. You were not cleared to 4500 feet. Cancel Class Bravo clearance, radar service terminated, squawk 1 2 0 0, frequency change approved!
So I got that going for me. Which is nice...
Flew out, around, and under the Class B airspace the rest of the way. Still a little peeved about the controller's nasty attitude but they're in charge. I guess. Successfully completed my last solo cross country and I had a lot of fun too!
Flight time: 4.1
Total time: 72.4
The first leg of my trip began at 6:00AM (13:00 Zulu) and was going to take me over SDL and DVT into the mountains towards the Colorado River. It was a beautiful morning and the scenery was incredible. I was hitting all of my checkpoints pretty much right on. All was well until my coffee spilled all over the right seat AND my logbook. Oh well, at least it looks used now. When I came within 12 miles of Lake Havasu, I radioed that I would be making left traffic for Runway 14. This would allow me to fly by the airport for observation.
Suddenly a voice came over the CTAF frequency saying that winds were calm and that the calm wind runway was 32. OK that's fine I can go straight in for 32 - oh, but wait, I read a NOTAM that said straight in approaches were not allowed. Cool! Fly out over the lake and make left traffic for 32.
Landed and had to pee really bad so I taxied to the FBO. Pee'd got a bottle of water and ended up putting a quart of oil in the plane - it was down under 5 quarts.
Off to Blythe. This is a really cool flight because you can basically fly down the Colorado River the entire way. It is a nice flight. Short too. Unfortunately, the airport is a total hole. I took a picture of the sole hangar at the airport. It has definitely been on this earth longer than I have. Made a quick bathroom break and headed back to Phoenix.
Upon leaving, I contacted Los Angeles Center for flight following. They were great. They handed me off to Albuquerque Center. All was going well and then I was handed off to Phoenix approach. Then Phoenix approach cleared me into Class Bravo airspace at 4500 feet for one of the west to east VFR transitions. I wasn't expecting this but I'm willing to try anything once. I then got handed off to another controller. I switched frequencies and the following exchange took place:
Phoenix Approach, Archer 2 8 7 Hotel Papa is with you at 45oo feet.
November 2 8 7 Hotel Papa, Phoenix Approach. Care to tell me why you're with me at 4500 feet when the previous controller cleared you to 5500 feet?
Phoenix Approach, Archer 2 8 7 Hotel Papa. I wrote down and read back 4500 feet. Since the controller did not correct my read back, I think I'm cleared to 4500 feet.
November 2 8 7 Hotel Papa, Phoenix Approach. Negative. You were not cleared to 4500 feet. Cancel Class Bravo clearance, radar service terminated, squawk 1 2 0 0, frequency change approved!
So I got that going for me. Which is nice...
Flew out, around, and under the Class B airspace the rest of the way. Still a little peeved about the controller's nasty attitude but they're in charge. I guess. Successfully completed my last solo cross country and I had a lot of fun too!
Flight time: 4.1
Total time: 72.4
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Stage Check!
Today I did a stage check. This is a simulated checkride with a different flight instructor. Even though this was "just practice," I was still a little nervous. I had planned a cross country flight to Payson. At our first checkpoint, he diverted me to Sky Ranch.
Then it was on to steep turns. Good. S-Turns. Good. Turns around a point. Good. Slow Flight. Good. Power off Stall. Good. Power on Stall. Good. Emergency engine out. Good.
Simulated instrument work. Straight and level flight - good. Climbs and descents - Good. Turns to a heading - good. Slow flight - good. Unusual attitudes - good.
Back to the airport for a soft field landing. Not good. Short field landing - good. Power off 180 (short approach with a slip) - not good. Missed the runway. Normal landing to a full stop - OK.
Feedback from the CFI was that my emergency procedures needed a little more memorization - it was good that I used the checklist; however, he felt like I should have memorized all of the emergency procedures. Also recommended work on my power off 180 and soft field landings.
It was a good flight with a fresh perspective from somebody that I hadn't flown with before.
Flight time: 1.6
Total time: 67.1
Then it was on to steep turns. Good. S-Turns. Good. Turns around a point. Good. Slow Flight. Good. Power off Stall. Good. Power on Stall. Good. Emergency engine out. Good.
Simulated instrument work. Straight and level flight - good. Climbs and descents - Good. Turns to a heading - good. Slow flight - good. Unusual attitudes - good.
Back to the airport for a soft field landing. Not good. Short field landing - good. Power off 180 (short approach with a slip) - not good. Missed the runway. Normal landing to a full stop - OK.
Feedback from the CFI was that my emergency procedures needed a little more memorization - it was good that I used the checklist; however, he felt like I should have memorized all of the emergency procedures. Also recommended work on my power off 180 and soft field landings.
It was a good flight with a fresh perspective from somebody that I hadn't flown with before.
Flight time: 1.6
Total time: 67.1
Monday, March 24, 2008
Solo Cross Country
Today I had my first solo cross country. RC approved my flight plan and the weather checks out. What am I waiting for?
I planned for Ryan Field (KRYN) and was just going to go down and back. Its about 85nm each way. Since the airport at which I am based is underneath Phoenix Class B airspace, we spend a lot of time knowing where the shelves are located and at what altitudes they are located. The biggest concern about my flight today was to avoid the Class B airspace and I had to transition the Class D airspace at KIWA and KCHD.
The flight was uneventful. I had requested flight following and, as always, Phoenix Approach, Albuquerque Center, and Tucson Approach were all very accommodating. The winds were a little gusty when I got down to Ryan.
Funny how you're so focused on the task at hand, you forget to enjoy it sometimes...
Note to self: Have more fun on the next cross country.
Flight time: 1.4
Total time: 65.0
I planned for Ryan Field (KRYN) and was just going to go down and back. Its about 85nm each way. Since the airport at which I am based is underneath Phoenix Class B airspace, we spend a lot of time knowing where the shelves are located and at what altitudes they are located. The biggest concern about my flight today was to avoid the Class B airspace and I had to transition the Class D airspace at KIWA and KCHD.
The flight was uneventful. I had requested flight following and, as always, Phoenix Approach, Albuquerque Center, and Tucson Approach were all very accommodating. The winds were a little gusty when I got down to Ryan.
Funny how you're so focused on the task at hand, you forget to enjoy it sometimes...
Note to self: Have more fun on the next cross country.
Flight time: 1.4
Total time: 65.0
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Another Cross Country
Yet another cross country. This time we practiced diversions and headed out to Phoenix Regional Airport (A36). Interestingly enough, when diverting to Phoenix Regional, it became quite awkward in the cockpit. An overwhelming smell entered the airplane and RC and I each shot each other accusatory looks. Finally we realized that we were flying over the largest dairy farm that I have ever seen!
Actually it is listed as privately owned (the airport - I'm not too sure about the dairy farm). Most of the buildings on the property are run down and the place looks deserted. We practiced a few emergency descents and some touch and gos. We were both ready to leave shortly after our arrival.
It is a nice place to leave...
Flight time: 1.9
Total time: 53.4
Actually it is listed as privately owned (the airport - I'm not too sure about the dairy farm). Most of the buildings on the property are run down and the place looks deserted. We practiced a few emergency descents and some touch and gos. We were both ready to leave shortly after our arrival.
It is a nice place to leave...
Flight time: 1.9
Total time: 53.4
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